Tibbits appointed new chair of Colleges Ontario

TORONTO — John Tibbits, president and CEO of Conestoga College, has started a two-year term as the new chair of Colleges Ontario.

As the chair, Tibbits will oversee the college sector’s Committee of Presidents, which is comprised of presidents from all 24 colleges in the province. The committee is responsible for a wide range of decisions affecting research, advocacy, communications and marketing.

Tibbits succeeds the previous chair, Durham College president Don Lovisa. Replacing Tibbits as vice-chair will be MaryLynn West-Moynes, the president and CEO of Georgian College.

In addition to the ongoing work to address the challenges created by COVID-19, Tibbits will lead the sector’s efforts to encourage the government to adopt new policies to strengthen college education, indicates a release, adding this would include expanding the range of degree programs at colleges and improving access to apprenticeship training.

During his tenure at Conestoga College, Tibbits has overseen the development of a growing network of campuses, with particular focus in the last two years on the expansion and redevelopment of campuses in Waterloo and Brantford and the opening of a new campus in downtown Kitchener, adds the release.

“This is a critical time for Ontario’s colleges as people across the province and beyond look to us for high-quality programs and new opportunities for retraining and reskilling,” Tibbits said in the statement. “Our colleges are very nimble and can readily adapt to evolving needs while ensuring students continue to receive the very best in career-focused post-secondary education.”